Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig | Pfc. David Gomez, generator mechanic, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, of Daytona Beach, Fla....... read more read more
VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq— Fifty U.S. service members from 21 different countries became United States Citizens at the United States Forces-Iraq Naturalization Ceremony Nov. 11in Al-Faw Palace at Victory Base Complex, Iraq.
Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, USF-I commander, presided over the Veterans’ Day ceremony, the 18th naturalization ceremony held in Iraq. Since 2001, more than 64,000 service members have become citizens while serving in the U.S. military.
“I feel like I’m officially part of the family now,” said Spc. Michelle Canas, a supply clerk with the 110th Combat Services Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). Canas is originally from the Philippines but has lived in Georgia since 2004. “I feel like it means a lot more to be naturalized while on deployment. It’s like being reborn.”
Each service member received an American flag, a certificate of citizenship and an AT&T Inc. prepaid phone card.
“I have been trying to become a citizen for a long time. I came to the U.S. in 1971 and have a total of 20 years of military service,” said Sgt. Roland Lefevre, a light vehicle mechanic with A Company, 199th Brigade Support Battalion, 224th Sust. Bde., 103rd ESC, and a Paris, France native.
Five Soldiers with units under the 103rd ESC took the Oath of Citizenship: Canas; Lefevre; Sgt. Mallcom Rochelle with A Co. 199th BSB; Staff Sgt. Louis Greaves with the 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sust. Bde.; and Pfc. David Gomez with the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd ESC.
“You appreciate the opportunity that American citizenship provides, and you are eager to give back to the country through your service in the Armed Forces,” said Austin. “You have been given a gift and you are giving a gift in return.”
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2010 10:46 |
| Story ID: | 60164 |
| Location: | VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, IQ |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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